Bill Blass: Those Were the Days

Bill Blass: Those Were the Days

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Published December 31, 2008

Bill Blass has had a tough year—the line, that is, although potentially the designer in his grave as well. In October, Peter Som walked (and not the runway), despite Anna Wintour’s reported desire to protect the house’s legacy, NexCen, which acquired Bill Blass Limited in February, closed the couture line without offering severance to employees. It was finally sold for $10 million, against the almost $55 million for which it was purchased just last year (although the numbers are complicated). The new owners, Peacock, have hinted that Blass could be returned to historic place in the Fashion Week tents, but have made no promises. Now’s the time to forget all that: witness, above, the good old days.